Everything you need to know about vertigo
Vertigo affects around five to 10 per cent of the population (40 per cent of those over 40), but what do you really know about this misunderstood condition? Given that approximately one quarter of over-65s experience dizziness or vertigo which inevitably leads to a fall, it’s something we all need to be aware of. So let’s take a look at the facts.
What is it?
It’s easy to pass off vertigo as just “dizziness”, but it’s so much more than that. Better Health Victoria describes it as, “a sensation of movement (including spinning), either of yourself or the external environment.” It is also characterised by unsteadiness, light-headedness, and feeling faint. You may also experience a headache, nausea, tinnitus, hearing difficulties, an abnormal gait and unusual eye movements.
How is it caused?
There are two main causes of vertigo - one is temporary and easy to treat, the other, not so much. The first is an inner-ear infection known as labyrinthitis, which causes inflammation.
The second major cause is a problem affecting the inner ear known as benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV), which causes false messages to be sent to the brain, telling it you’re in motion, when you may be perfectly still.
What’s the treatment?
It’s important to remember that vertigo is a symptom and not necessarily a condition in and of itself. Given that there are so many potential causes, treatment varies depending on the underlying issue. labyrinthitis can usually be treated with medication, otherwise it generally goes away on its own. On the other hand, if BPPV is found to be the cause of your vertigo, your doctor, physiotherapist or audiologist will most likely prescribe a number of simple exercises as treatment.
Could it be a sign of something serious?
While it’s most often caused by the issues mentioned previously, in some cases, dizziness and vertigo may be indicative of a more serious problem. Migraines (specifically, vestibular migraines) are often the culprit for vertigo, causing episodes of dizziness and sensitivity to light and noise which may last up to several hours. Your vertigo may also be a symptom of Meniere’s disease, anxiety disorders, low blood pressure, infection, hypoglycaemia and, in rare cases, stroke.
As with every health concern you have, you first port of call should always be your GP. Be sure to raise any worries or suspicions you may have, always be honest with your doctor, and you’ll be on the path to recovery in no time.